I have a flexifoil with a wide axle...soon bigfoots...That's right, no more waiting for the tides for this boy...or feeling guilty about borrowing a buggy....It's going to be ride, ride, ride...

OK..Question(s)....Looking at pictures of bent downtubes on PL running BigFoot tires......
How come I see some with a straight downtubes and others with bent downtube? Can you run both? What is the reason for the bent downtube if you can run a straight one? Can you use any other manufactures of forks on the PL downtubes...

Thanks...Just looking for all the knowledge I can on bent downtubes and bigfoot tires...

With a regular straight down tube and reg barrow tire your seat is level. If you put on a big wheel the front end of the buggy would be higher so your seat would be pointing upward instead of level and you would know right away if you went to sit in the seat that you are know leaning back with a weird angle on the front end. The kinked down tube brings the seat back to level. Some buggies might have big foots on the rear and running a reg barrow on the front.

Kinda makes sense...but if the buggy is level with barrows and then you throw bigfoots on...This means that buggy should go up in height the same all around (front and back). So why would it make you lean back..I would think it would just bring the entire buggy up in height (same both in front and rear) but I guess I wasn't the best in math so....I'm sure there is a good reason my T-Rex brain can't think of this....

Bruce I think it's all about quantum physics or some Samish crap like that.:ticking: But I think if you go with bigfoots all around it will by most equations still be level. As long as you are on level ground. If the ground is not level well than neither will the buggy be and you will indeed be either high in the front, back or left or right. But that isa matter of location not tires and so I think it is safe to say if you raise each sitting point of tire mountation the same amount it should still sit as it was before said raising.
If you need this explained further just ask. I am more than willing to confuse the issue as much as needed!

Remember that the attachment point of the downtube was raised by adding the Bigfoot fork. The kinked downtube is to counter that. Those running straight down tubes just didn't make the purchase. You wouldn't run barrows using the Bigfoot fork but the geometry would be the same.

No that is what my brain is thinking....Put Bigfoots on and everything should raise the same amount in height but....Obviously a reason for the kinked downtube that I'm not thinking about....

BTY...I'm really going to miss you at WW but hope your health issue gets taken care of for the fall bash and will NOT be an issue by then...The kid is getting almost old enough to come by himself...just offering a "rent a Dad"...If he wants to come and get a room I will make sure we look out for him. (meaning I will take full responsibility)....within reason...If he burns the hotel next door down you might be on your own...haha

Ah...thats the reason ...Didn't account for that...Seeing the bigger picture now.

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Originally posted by BeamerBob Remember that the attachment point of the downtube was raised by adding the Bigfoot fork. The kinked downtube is to counter that. Those running straight down tubes just didn't make the purchase. You wouldn't run barrows using the Bigfoot fork but the geometry would be the same.

I was in the same shoes as you a month ago that those skinny tires just would not go anywhere in the softer sand so I got some wheels with bigfoot tires. I also have a straight down tube for my buggy, and my set up is a small tire in the front (didn't feel like to change the front fork) and bigfoot tires on the back.

The thing is, I actually like the seat to lean back a bit - it's definitely more comfortable that way. Even with my bigfoot on the back, the seat still leans back - just a little less steep than before. There are also 2 straps on the bottom of the seat that goes to the axle which you can tighten (more sit up) or loosen (more leaned back) to adjust the seating posture.

Quote:

Originally posted by rocfighter Bruce I think it's all about quantum physics or some Samish crap like that.:ticking:

:P :P :P

ATB,
Samish

Nfish, your libre offers back support meaning the lean back position is reclined. Being in a PL that leans back (with no backrest) feels like its trying to dump you out the back and just increases the stress on the abdominals.

I see, sounded like a good abs workout, lol. For BEC's case, I believe his VTT seat also has back support.

New seat from Van (sooooo sweeeet) and the PL Divine harness combo is going to make a world of difference...Pretty excited....I will be able to now run both barrows and bigfoots on the same buggy....( I did get the downtube and fork for the Bigfoots)..Hopefully I will be able to just take the two bolts off where the downtube meets siderails and switch out back wheels and have two completely different rides...

Best part is not having to wait for the tides or wind direction to have fun "All" day long at WBB...No more borrowing buggies either...That can ruin a guy when you get into someone elses thousand dollar libre or Ivanpah and then go back to yours....It's like, heres your kia now can I have my porsche back I lent you.

BEC - I am looking forward to riding your new ride - it aint no kia with the wide axle and the new seat..... now wheels and its the cats meow......ready to be at wildwood
scott

Me too! I know it's going to be quite the little buggy now...Not to mention some of the cool things we are creating for the event....
I can't wait to see it with the new downtube, fork and wheels..I also can't wait to do some of those power slides again..actually a lot of those powerslides...Yeah Baby! Wahoooooo :wee:

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Originally posted by flyguy0101 BEC - I am looking forward to riding your new ride - it aint no kia with the wide axle and the new seat..... now wheels and its the cats meow......ready to be at wildwood scott

Another thing to think about BEC is center of gravity. The kinked downtube puts the seat lower to the ground (if you keep it on with your barrows) which can be beneficial to keeping you in that new VTT seat.

I'm working out making a swan neck downtube for my buggy (with a lot of explanation and help fr Van) in order to drop my seat 2-4 inches lowering my COG,... If nothing else, it will just look cool.

The reason you see both the straight downtube and the kinked downtube on Bigfoot buggies is because the kinked version was only recently introduced (last 2-3 years). Before that, the only downtube that was available was the straight downtube that is used on all of the Comp XR+ buggies.

The kinked downtube helps reduce the amount of angle when you adjust the side rails forwards or backwards. The level of ride stays the same regardless if you are using bigfoot tires or standard barrow tires.

Completely understand the first paragraph and I though I understood about "why" downtubes were kinked ( 2nd paragraph) but I guess I am confused again.

The side rails are not adjustable on a PL or flexifoil. The fork being a different height (BeamerBob's answer) makes sense.

Why I have you...Ever seen a nice looking fender attached to a PL bigfoot fork. Is there enough room between tire and fork? I've seen Todd's out of PVC and others out of garbage can but...This is something I want to look really nice and custom.

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Originally posted by awindofchange The reason you see both the straight downtube and the kinked downtube on Bigfoot buggies is because the kinked version was only recently introduced (last 2-3 years). Before that, the only downtube that was available was the straight downtube that is used on all of the Comp XR+ buggies. The kinked downtube helps reduce the amount of angle when you adjust the side rails forwards or backwards. The level of ride stays the same regardless if you are using bigfoot tires or standard barrow tires.

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Originally posted by BEC Why I have you...Ever seen a nice looking fender attached to a PL bigfoot fork. Is there enough room between tire and fork? I've seen Todd's out of PVC and others out of garbage can but...This is something I want to look really nice and custom.

Recently bought one of these and planning to mod to fit my XR front fork

https://m.northerntool.com/northerntool/product/detail.do?it...

By adjustable, I mean forwards or backwards (shortening or lengthening the buggy). The downtube has multiple holes in it where you can bolt the side rails into. On a straight downtube, the angle from the front hole would be higher than the rear hole. With the kinked downtube, these adjustable holes are on less of an incline so the angle would not change nearly as much.

Kent...
That makes sense now...So me being really short and having the kinked downtube on the shortest setting will raise the back section up. If I was to just run a straight downtube the back section of my buggy would actually be even more raised meaning. (reclining me in the seat even more)

Soliver...
Nice fender...I have a slight welding problem as of today...I can't do it...this is soon going to change...offered free labor in exchange to learn at local welding shop the other day so....One of the nicest shops around as far as quality.

I wanted to do this so I could do some specialty things to the bug...custom backrest, footplates, fender brackets...that kind of stuff.